Duo depart as England continue coaching set-up revamp
A pair of assistants depart with Brendon McCullum set to take over as England head coach in all three formats.
England's overhaul of their white-ball coaching set-up is complete with news that long-time assistants Carl Hopkinson and Richard Dawson have finished in their roles.
The pair have played a major part in England's recent success at ICC tournaments, with Hopkinson part of the coaching team that won the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup on home soil in 2019 and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022 and Dawson present for the second one of those after leading the England Under 19 team to the final of the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup earlier that year.
With Brendon McCullum set to take over as England coach in all three formats, both Hopkinson and Dawson will leave their roles following the side's white-ball tour of the Caribbean that ended on Sunday.
Hopkinson said he enjoyed his tenure with the England side, with the two World Cup triumphs a clear highlight.
“It has been a career highlight not only to be part of the England coaching set-up for the past seven years but also to be involved in two historic World Cup victories, which is something I’ll always cherish," Hopkinson said.
“After starting as National Lead Fielding coach I worked alongside Richard Dawson to help the England Men U19s reach their first World Cup final for 24 years. It has been exciting to see young players we worked with at the World Cup grow into full England internationals as well as more recently helping some of the best white-ball players in the world continue to develop.”
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Dawson, who played seven Test matches for England at the start of the century, paid tribute to his fellow coaches within the team set-up and said he was looking forward to see how the side evolves in the future.
“I have enjoyed every minute in the England environment and working with some of the best white-ball players in the world as well as great people in the coaching team and backroom staff from the U19s to senior team," Dawson said.
“Being head coach of the England U19 team that reached the World Cup final was a career highlight while it has been a pleasure working with some of the top spinners in the world while also developing the strength and depth of spin bowling talent from across the country. I look forward to seeing the white-ball team continue to progress and hopefully win more trophies.”